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Posted on 08/27/2006 1:39:35 AM PDT by NautiNurse
Ernesto is rapidly intensifying to near hurricane strength, with heavy rains and flooding possible over much of Hispaniola. Rainfall amounts of 6 to 12 inches...with possible isolated amounts of up to 20 inches...are expected over Haiti and the Dominican Republic. These rains could cause life-threatening flash floods and mud slides.
A Tropical Storm Warning and a Hurricane Watch remain in effect for Jamaica. A Hurricane Watch remains in effect for the Cayman Islands. A tropical storm watch may be required for portions of the Florida Keys later today.
Public Advisories Updated every three hours.
Tropical Storm Discussion Updated every six hours
Ernesto Storm Track Archive Nice animated progression of 3 & 5 day forecast tracks
Buoy Data Caribbean Sea
Buoy Data Florida & Eastern GOM
Storm Surge graphic
Satellite Images
Additional Resources:
Central Florida Hurricane Center
Hurricane City
Category | Wind Speed | Barometric Pressure | Storm Surge | Damage Potential |
---|---|---|---|---|
Tropical Depression |
< 39 mph < 34 kts |
Minimal | ||
Tropical Storm |
39 - 73 mph 34 - 63 kts |
Minimal | ||
Hurricane 1 (Weak) |
74 - 95 mph 64 - 82 kts |
28.94" or more 980.02 mb or more |
4.0' - 5.0' 1.2 m - 1.5 m |
Minimal damage to vegetation |
Hurricane 2 (Moderate) |
96 - 110 mph 83 - 95 kts |
28.50" - 28.93" 965.12 mb - 979.68 mb |
6.0' - 8.0' 1.8 m - 2.4 m |
Moderate damage to houses |
Hurricane 3 (Strong) |
111 - 130 mph 96 - 112 kts |
27.91" - 28.49" 945.14 mb - 964.78 mb |
9.0' - 12.0' 2.7 m - 3.7 m |
Extensive damage to small buildings |
Hurricane 4 (Very strong) |
131 - 155 mph 113 - 135 kts |
27.17" - 27.90" 920.08 mb - 944.80 mb |
13.0' - 18.0' 3.9 m - 5.5 m |
Extreme structural damage |
Hurricane 5 (Devastating) |
Greater than 155 mph Greater than 135 kts |
Less than 27.17" Less than 920.08 mb |
Greater than 18.0' Greater than 5.5m |
Catastrophic building failures possible |
Yeah, that one. Of course, now I have a self-inflicted stuck-in-my-brain song for the next couple of hours.
Uh oh...you didn't ping Admin Mod when you referenced Admin Mod. Yikes!
Actually, that was on purpose. Admin's wrath can be a terrible thing to behold when you inflict a stuck-in-the-brain song on him.
A nurse's wrath can be dreadful too. Now I have the ear worm.
Whoa, that's not good.
My son starts college tomorrow, and hubby's on the EOC, so if this thing hits later in the week, they'll both be busy. Today will be the day to make sure everything is in order should we need to slap up the plywood later in the week.
Probably time to check out sending my folks out of town to my sister's like we did before Charley. I imagine if it heads our way flights will be more crowded than with Charley because people are more likely to flee now.
Our Evac zone changed to "no evacuation" this year, go figure. We're so near the coasts, but I think we're pretty high. What evac level are you, probably pretty high since you're on the water? (if I remember right you ride them out because you have a second floor)
I'm hopeful the track will keep shifting eastward - yesterday the five-day had Ernesto going square into NOLA. But it doesn't hurt to begin very preliminary planning just in case.
I hope that's a possibility. Last night I looked at the sat views (and gave my unprofessional weather opinion ) that the storm was going to hit Hispaniola, which hadn't been predicted in the track thus far.
The center jumped north 50 miles last evening. If it does that again, the center could well track north of Cuba instead of south of Cuba. Small movements now make for large track changes later. There's a trough north of the storm now - I hope it tugs it just a bit further north.
No matter where this one hits, I have aa family member or friend near by it seems. They are spread out from Texas to Florida. That's what I get for living in so many places along the Gulf myself.
My brother's memorial service in New Orleans appears as if it will be above water... unless we get another radical change of direction. He survived Katrina in N.O. and died this past weekend of heart problems.
Since they allowed the La. construction companies to do at least portions of the levies, I figure the next big rain will drown the place again. Corruption runs deep there... even when it is their own safety as stake.
That's scary! LOL
Anyone else hear Twilight Zone music?
I just heard WFTV in Orlando say the storm is now forcasted to curve into Central Florida and could be a CAT 3!
Yes, Evacuation Zone A here. Last evac was for Hurricane Charley, when the EOC auto-dialed every phone line in the house to say "get out."
I'm very sorry you lost your brother. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
That would keep it out of the regenerating hot water in the Gulf.
My bet is on tropical storm strenght when it comes ashore.
FWIW My son works offshore about 100 miles S of
NO and he is being sent home today.
Thanks for the info.
Well I wonder how long this rain we've been having is supposed to last. (we did get half the lawn mowed yesterday, LOL)
Thanks for the ping! Surf's up.
Please add me to the Hurrcane ping list. Thanks.
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